2008 Convergence Conference

It may have been only yesterday that we closed the book on the 2007 Convergence Conference, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start looking forward to next year.

"Convergence and Society: The Participatory Web (3.0)" is the title for next year's conference, to be held Oct. 9-11, 2008. This conference is again being hosted by the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies at the University of South Carolina.

The 2008 conference will focus on the future of media convergence as it relates to the ever-expanding opportunities for online interactivity -- blogs, social networking, and citizen journalism, to name a few.

Essays, research, and technology related to these tools, as well as the practice and teaching of convergent journalism, are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2008.

For submission information, please contact Dr. Augie Grant.

Keep an eye on the Newsplex Web site for registration and further information.

That's All Folks

And so, another Convergence Conference has come to a close.

Big thanks go to USC's Dr. Augie Grant and all those who helped to organize -- and actualize -- this great event.

Equally major thanks are owed to all those who attended the conference -- presenters and listeners alike.

We hope everyone learned a little bit and had a great time. We'll see you next year in Columbia!

Two Down, One To Go

With Day Two of the 2007 Conference on Convergence and Society in the books, we have only one final day to go. (OK, a half day if you want to be precise.)

So far we've been informed, entertained, challenged, and of course fed -- and fed well. (Such is the advantage of meeting in a hotel that has a Ruth's Chris Steak House!)

The highlights are too numerous to list them all here. We've seen great presentations on media consolidation, video podcasting, mobile advertising and convergence in the classroom.

Last night we heard from Gannett Corporation president, chairman and CEO Craig Dubow -- no insignificant figure in the media industry, to say the least!

Our visitors have come from as far away as Norway and Brazil, not to mention all over the U.S.

You can be assured that we at The Convergence Newsletter will do our best to share with you some of the best ideas, research and perspectives that have come out of this year's conference.

2007 Conference on Convergence

The University of South Carolina will be hosting a conference on media convergence, consolidation and ownership this month, from the 11th through the 13th.

Speakers will present ideas and perspectives on a broad range of convergence-related topics, from pop culture, to the regulatory environment, to teaching methods.

For more information, visit:

http://newsplex.sc.edu/newsplex07/newsplex_con07.html

October Issue

The October 2007 issue of The Convergence Newsletter has been released.

You can read the issue online at:
http://www.jour.sc.edu/news/convergence/v5no.4.html

In it, we offer three perspectives on how universities are making strides to adapt to the new realities of journalism and media convergence.

From the University of Hawaii’s Dr. Ann Auman: The challenges of initiating multiplatform journalism curricula and team teaching in traditional institutional environments.

From Texas Tech University's Dr. Andy Reddick: The need for good, solidly trained journalists no matter what the technological landscape may be.

From the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Laura Ruel: Understanding and embracing all the media tools that journalism students can use to deliver well-crafted stories.

To sign up to receive The Convergence Newsletter by e-mail, just sent a message to convergence-news@gwm.sc.edu.